Control apparatus for hybrid type outboard motor, marine vessel running support system and marine vessel using the same

Abstract

A hybrid type outdoor motor includes a propeller, an electric motor that generates a drive force to rotate the propeller, and an engine that generates a drive force to rotate the propeller. The engine discharges exhaust gas in water. A control apparatus that controls the hybrid type outboard motor includes a speed instruction unit arranged to generate a speed instruction value indicative of the rotational speed of the propeller, and a control unit arranged to change from a first mode, in which only the drive force of the electric motor is transmitted to the propeller, to the second mode, in which the drive force of the engine is transmitted to the propeller. The control unit changes from the first to second modes depending on a rotation direction of the propeller and the speed instruction value generated by the speed instruction unit.

1. An outboard motor control apparatus for controlling a hybrid type outboard motor including a propeller, an electric motor that generates a drive force to rotate the propeller, and an engine that generates a drive force to rotate the propeller, the engine discharging exhaust gas in water, the outboard motor control apparatus comprising:
 a speed instruction unit arranged to generate a speed instruction value indicative of a rotational speed of the propeller; and 
 a control unit arranged to change from a first mode, in which only the drive force of the electric motor is transmitted to the propeller, to the second mode, in which the drive force of the engine is transmitted to the propeller, depending on a rotation direction of the propeller and the speed instruction value generated by the speed instruction unit; wherein 
 the control unit is arranged to change from the first mode to the second mode by applying different threshold values to the speed instruction value generated by the speed instruction unit depending on the rotation direction of the propeller. 
 
   
   
     2. The outboard motor control apparatus for a hybrid type outboard motor according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit uses a first threshold value when the rotation direction of the propeller is a first rotation direction along which in-water exhaust of the engine is moved away from the propeller and uses a second threshold valve, which is greater than the first threshold value, when the rotation direction of the propeller is a second direction along which the in-water exhaust of the engine is dragged to the propeller. 
   
   
     3. The outboard motor control apparatus for a hybrid type outboard motor according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the rotation direction of the propeller is a first rotation direction along which in-water exhaust of the engine is moved away from the propeller, the control unit executes control in the first mode when the speed instruction value generated by the speed instruction unit is not more than a first threshold value, and executes control in the second mode when the speed instruction value generated by the speed instruction unit exceeds the first threshold value, and when the rotation direction of the propeller is a second rotation direction along which the in-water exhaust of the engine is dragged to the propeller, the control unit executes control in the first mode when the speed instruction value generated by the speed instruction unit is not more than a second threshold value, which is greater than the first threshold value, and executes control in the second mode when the speed instruction value generated by the speed instruction unit exceeds the second threshold value. 
   
   
     4. The outboard motor control apparatus for a hybrid type outboard motor according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a direction instruction unit arranged to generate a direction instruction indicative of the rotation direction of the propeller; wherein 
 when the direction instruction generated by the direction instruction unit indicates the first rotation direction, the control unit executes control in the first mode when the speed instruction value is not more than the first threshold value, and executes control in the second mode when the speed instruction value exceeds the first threshold value; and 
 when the direction instruction generated by the direction instruction unit indicates the second rotation direction, the control unit executes control in the first mode when the speed instruction value is not more than the second threshold value, and executes control in the second mode when the speed instruction value exceeds the second threshold value. 
 
   
   
     5. The outboard motor control apparatus for a hybrid type outboard motor according to  claim 2 , wherein the first rotation direction is a forward direction in which a propulsive force in the forward direction is provided to a marine vessel, and the second rotation direction is a reverse direction in which a propulsive force in the reverse direction is provided to the marine vessel. 
   
   
     6. The outboard motor control apparatus for a hybrid type outboard motor according to  claim 5 , wherein the in-water exhaust of the outboard motor is discharged rearward of a marine vessel. 
   
   
     7. The outboard motor control apparatus for a hybrid type outboard motor according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a direction instruction unit arranged to generate a direction instruction indicative of the rotation direction of the propeller; wherein 
 the control unit includes a rotation direction judging unit that determines the rotation direction of the propeller based on the direction instruction generated by the direction instruction unit. 
 
   
   
     8. The outboard motor control apparatus for a hybrid type outboard motor according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electric motor rotational speed setting unit arranged to set a target rotational speed of the electric motor such that the propulsive force generated by the propeller is made continuous before and after the changing from the first mode to the second mode. 
 
   
   
     9. The outboard motor control apparatus for a hybrid type outboard motor according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an engine rotational speed setting unit arranged to set a target rotational speed of the engine such that the propulsive force generated by the propeller is continuous before and after the changing from the first mode to the second mode. 
 
   
   
     10. A marine vessel running support system, comprising:
 a hybrid type outboard motor including a propeller, an electric motor that generates a drive force to rotate the propeller, and an engine that generates a drive force to rotate the propeller, the engine discharging exhaust gas in water; and 
 the outboard motor control apparatus according to  claim 1 , that controls the hybrid type outboard motor. 
 
   
   
     11. A marine vessel, comprising:
 a hull; 
 a hybrid type outboard motor including a propeller; 
 an electric motor that generates a drive force to rotate the propeller; and 
 an engine that generates a drive force to rotate the propeller, the engine discharging exhaust gas in water; and 
 the outboard motor control apparatus according to  claim 1 , that controls the hybrid type outboard motor.